Dual purpose rack and divider assembly

ABSTRACT

The dual purpose rack and divider assembly of this invention has a base, wings, base slats, and cross slats which can be assemble in either a rack or a divider configuration. A mortise on the base and tenons on the wings and base slats provide an interlocking mechanism that allow transformation from a divider to a rack and to provide stability when in the rack configuration. 
     The base has parallel mortises in a spaced relationship. The wings has one or more toes or tenons with a taper for insertion into and interlocking in the mortises on the base. The wings can be pivotally attached to the base. The base slats have one or more tenons with a taper for insertion into and interlocking in the mortises in the base. The toes on the base slats straddle the toe(s) of the wings when in the configuration of a rack. The base slats have at least two slots in a parallel spaced relationship with the slots extending half way across the base slats. There are two or more cross slats having at least two slots in a parallel spaced relationship. The cross slats join with the base slats by interlocking the slots on the base slat with the slots on the cross slats to form openings or compartments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dual purpose rack and dividerassembly.

The dual purpose rack and divider assembly of this invention can be usedas a separator or divider to protect products such as wine bottles, beerbottles, ornaments, trinkets, or any other type of items that need to beseparated from each other for protection during shipping, storage, orfor any other reason. Typically, dividers are made of a light weightcardboard. They are used between beer bottle, wine bottles, ornamentsand other items to separate the items in cases for shipping and forprotection. These are usually just rectangular pieces of cardboard cutto size with a series of interlocking slits cut in a spaced parallelrelationship. The pieces are joined using the slits to form openingsinto which the items can be placed. These are common and are used in allsorts of different industries and applications.

The dual purpose rack and divider assembly can also be used as a rackfor displaying or holding various items. It can be used as a wine rack,beer bottle/can rack, or a rack for displaying ornaments or othernovelty items. A typical wine rack can be made by using a materialstrong enough to support the full weight of several wine bottles. It maybe made with multiple pieces of rectangular material with interlockingslits cut half way across in a spaced parallel relationship. The slitswould naturally be wide enough to allow the pieces to be interlockedwith each other.

The dual purpose rack and divider accomplishes both being a rack and adivider in a unique way with several other advantages and objects.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dualpurpose rack and divider assembly that is adapted to be used as adivider for separating items for shipping or storage and beingconvertible to a rack for displaying items.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved dualpurpose rack and divider assembly that is constructed to provide both adivider and a rack depending on how it is configured.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dual purposerack and divider assembly that the various components can be piled in aflat package for shipment and assembled as a divider or rack by the userto thereby substantially reduce shipping cost from the manufacturer tothe user.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a dualpurpose rack and divider assembly that is decorative and/or can be usedwith advertisement or art work on all or some of the various componentsof the dual purpose rack and divider assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To accomplish the foregoing and other objects of this invention there isprovided a dual purpose rack and divider assembly. The dual purpose rackand divider assembly of this invention has a base, wings, base slats,and cross slats which can be assemble in either a rack configuration ora divider configuration. A mortise on the base and tenons on the baseslats provide an interlocking mechanism that allow transformation from adivider to a rack and to provide stability when in the rackconfiguration.

The base has parallel dovetail mortises in a spaced relationship. Eachof the wings has one or more toes or tenons with a taper for insertioninto and interlocking in the dovetail mortises on the base. The wingscan be pivotally attached to the base. There are two or more base slatshaving one or more toes or tenons with a taper for insertion into andinterlocking in the dovetail mortises in the base. The toes on the baseslats straddle the toe(s) of the wings when in the configuration of arack. The base slats have at least two slots in a parallel spacedrelationship with the slots extending half way across the base slats.There are two or more cross slats having at least two slots in aparallel spaced relationship. The slots extending half way across thebase slats. The cross slats join with the base slats by interlocking theslots on the base slat with the slots on the cross slats to formopenings or compartments.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will bebetter understood and appreciated from the following detaileddescription of the main embodiment thereof, selected for purposes ofillustration and shown in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 has front, side and edge views of the base.

FIG. 2 has front, side and edge views of one of the wings.

FIG. 3 has front, side and edge views of the other wing.

FIG. 4 has front, side and edge views of one of the base slats.

FIG. 5 has front, side and edge views of the other base slat.

FIG. 6 has front, side and edge views of one of the cross slats.

FIG. 7 has front, side and edge views of the other cross slat.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the dual purpose rack and divider assembly ina configuration of a rack.

FIG. 9 is a three dimensional view of the dual purpose rack and dividerassembly in a configuration of a rack.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the back plate.

FIG. 11 shows the back plate on the dual purpose rack and dividerassembly.

FIG. 12 is a view of the dual purpose rack and divider assembly in theconfiguration of a divider within a case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings in general there is shown the preferredembodiment for the dual purpose rack and divider assembly 10 of thisinvention

The preferred embodiment and the best mode contemplated of the dualpurpose rack and divider assembly 10 of the present invention are hereindescribed. However, it should be understood that the best mode forcarrying out the invention hereinafter described is offered by way ofillustration and not by the way of limitation. It is intended that thescope of the invention include all modifications which incorporate itsprincipal design features.

The invention is generally described as a dual purpose rack and dividerassembly 10. The primary purpose is to provide a divider within a casefor shipping and storing bottles of wine or other items. It is used inits original application as a separator or divider to protect glassbottles like wine bottles, beer bottles, containers of liquid materials,collectable trinkets, or any other type of item(s). The divider can beinserted into a case or carton at the point where the bottles or itemsare placed into a case or carton to be shipped to a destination such asa wholesaler, or retailer of the product. At this point it is simply adivider for protecting and separating the bottles, cans, or other items.

When the distributor, wholesaler, or customer removes the bottles fromthe case the divider is also removed. But instead of discarding thedivider it is re-used as a rack to hold the product, such as winebottles. Various components of the divider are re-configured andinterlocked as described below to transform the divider into a displayrack, such as a wine rack.

The dual purpose rack and divider assembly 10 of the preferredembodiment has seven pieces or components. Each of the components aredesignated herein with a single numerical reference which alsocorresponds to the figure number showing the component. The componentsare: a base 1, wing 2, wing 3, base slat 4, base slat 5, cross slat 6and cross slat 7. Wings 2 and 3 are identical in construction. Baseslats 4 and 5 are identical in construction. Cross slats 6 and 7 areidentical in construction. The components can be made from wood,plastic, cardboard, foam plastics, PVC, plastic, or any other suitablematerial, or any combination of materials.

The preferred embodiment as illustrated and described is for a six itemdisplay rack and a twelve item divider. As will be understood from thedetailed description, additional spaces for additional items can beadded by increasing the number of mortises 12 in the base 1, andincreasing the number of base slats 4 or 5, and cross slats 6 or 7.Additionally, two or more of the dual purpose rack and dividerassemblies 10 can be included in a single case to provide additionaldisplay racks.

The base 1 is typically rectangular in shape. The size of the rectangleand the thickness of the base 1 is determined by the type of items onwhich it is to be used. Generally, the heavier and/or bigger the itemthe larger and thicker the base 1. The base 1 will have at least twomortises 12. The mortises 12 are preferred to be in a dovetail shape butother interlocking shapes could be used, or perhaps another type ofinterlocking mechanism could be used. The dovetail is the preferredmethod because of its simplicity. The mortises 12 or interlockingmechanism are key to the invention. The mortices 12 are in a spacedparallel relationship running crosswise across the width of the base 1.Typically, the depth of the mortices are approximately half way throughthe thickness of the base, but depending on the thickness and means ofinterlocking it could be more or less. The distance between the mortices12 is determined by the distance between the lower edges of the baseslats 4 and 5 when they are interlocked with cross slats 6 and 7.

There are two wings 2 and 3 in the preferred embodiment. The wings 2 and3 function as ends separators 16, FIG. 12, when used as a divider andside supports 18, FIGS. 8 and 9, when used as a rack. Each of the wings2 and 3 have a length corresponding to the width of the base 1 with awidth up to but not wider than the distance between the slots on thebase slats 4 and 5 or cross slats 6 and 7.

Each of the wings 2 and 3 have a toe 14 projection centered along alower length edge. The toe 14 projection is a tenon with an angled edge20 matched for insertion into the mortises 12 for interlocking the wings2 and 3 onto the base and holding the wings at a fixed angle from thebase. This is part of the key of the invention. The wings 2 and 3 has tointerlock with the dovetail or mortices 12 to hold the wings securely ina fixed position and at a preferred angle of forty five degrees outwardfrom the base 1.

The wings 2 and 3 can also be pivotally attached to the base 1 such thatthe wings can fold flat against a top surface of the base 1 and pivotupwards to form side supports 18 or end dividers 16. The reason for thiswill be further explained. The wings 2 and 3 can be pivotally attachedusing hinges or materials such as cloth, vinyl, paper or some other typeof material attached to the top surface of base 1 and the correspondingsurface on wings 2 and 3. The toe 14 with angled edge 20 would still beused to interlock with mortise 12. This feature is not illustrated butcan be easily understood by this description.

In the preferred embodiment there are two base slats 4 and 5. These arerectangular in shape with a width corresponding to the width of base 1.There could be some designs in the edges of the rectangle but overall itwill be generally rectangular in shape. The length of the base slats 4and 5 is determined by the items to be separated and/or displayed.

Each of the base slats 4 and 5 have a cutout region 22 on a lower widthedge of the base slats 4 and 5. The width of the cutout region 22corresponding to the width of the toe(s) 14 or tenon on wings 2 and 3.The cutout region 22 creates outer toes 24 or tenons along the outerportions of the width edge of base slats 4 and 5. The outer toes 24 alsohas a tapered edge 26 for insertion into and interlocking with themortices 12 on base 1. The cutout region 22 straddles the toe(s) 14 onwings 2 and 3 with the toes 24 on the base slats 4 and 5 engaging themortise 12 or dovetail on the base. The interlocking of the base slats 4and 5 and wings 2 and 3 to the base 1 is key for this invention. Themeans by the way it interlocks holds the base slats 4 and 5 at a fixedangle, preferably at forty five degrees from the base 1 and at a rightangle, or an approximate right angle, from the wings 2 and 3.

The base slats 4 and 5 each have two slots 28, in the preferredembodiment. More slots could be added to increase the overall size ofthe dual purpose rack and divider assembly 10 to create more openings orcompartments for additional items. The slots 28 are in a parallel spacedrelationship and extend half way across the base slats 4 and 5 from alength edge. The width of the slots 28 corresponds to the thickness ofthe cross slats 6 and 7. The distance between the slots 28 is determinedby the items to be separated or displayed. The distance will be slightlylarger than the widest portion of the item.

In the alternative or another embodiment, the toes 14 on wings 2 and 3,and the corresponding cutout region 22 and toes 24 on base slats 4 and 5could be switched from one to another. Meaning, the wings 2 and 3 wouldhave a cutout region and outer toes and the base slats 4 and 5 having acentered toe. They would still be inserted into and interlocked withinthe mortices 12 as described above. This is easily understood and is notillustrated.

Yet another alternative would be multiple toes in which the wings 2 and3 and base slats 4 and 5 each have multiple toes for insertion into andinterlocking the wings 2 and 3 and base slats 4 and 5 within themortices 12. The toes would be separated and would straddling oneanother to interlock within the mortice 12. Again this is easilyunderstood and is not illustrated.

In the preferred embodiment, there are two rectangular cross slats 6 and7. These typically have the same dimensions as the base slats 4 and 5.Each of the cross slats 6 and 7 have two slots 30, in the preferredembodiment as in the base slats 4 and 5. More slots could be added toincrease the overall size of the dual purpose rack and divider assembly10 to create more openings or compartments for additional items. Theslots 30 are in a parallel spaced relationship and extend half wayacross the base slats 4 and 5 from a length edge. The width of the slots30 corresponds to the thickness of the base slats 4 and 5. The distancebetween the slots 30 is determined by the items to be separated ordisplayed. The distance will be slightly larger than the widest portionof the item and exactly the same as on the base slats 4 and 5.

The cross slats 6 and 7 attach to the base slats 4 and 5 by interlockingthe slots 28 on the base slats 4 and 5 with the slots 30 on the crossslats 6 and 7. This will create a plurality of generally square openingsor compartments for insertion of items.

The dual purpose rack and divider assembly 10, in the configuration of arack is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. A bottom surface of the base 1 isplaced downward. The toes 14 on wings 2 and 3 are inserted into mortises12 and interlocked holding the wings 2 and 3 at an outward facing fortyfive degree angle from base 1. This forms side supports 18. The toes 24on base slats 4 and 5 are inserted into the mortises 12 and interlockedholding the base slats 4 and 5 at a forty five degree angle from base 1and at a right angle from wings 2 and 3. The cross slats 6 and 7 areattached and interlocked with the base slats 4 and 5 to form a rack withcompartments for displaying items. The interlocking function of the toes12 on wings 2 and 3 and toes 24 on base slats 4 and 5 with mortises 12on base 1 ensure a stable structure.

In this configuration the upper portion consisting of the wings 2 and 3,base slats 4 and 5, and cross slats 6 and 7 cannot move forward orrearward and is centered on the base 1. The upper portion cannot move ortilt sideways because the toes 24 of base slats 4 and 5 are fitted intoand interlocked with the dovetail mortice 12 on the base 1. Any sidewaysforce or over loading of one side of the rack will not allow the rack totilt sideways as the base 1 is securely attached to the components thatform the upper unit. The base's outer edges absorbs any rotationalmoment of any sideways tilting. The rack cannot tilt sideways, forwardor backward without the base 1 tilting forward or rearward because ofthe method the upper portion is attached to the base 1 with theinterlocking of the angled edges 20 on toes 14 on wings 2 and 3, andangled edges 26 on toes 24 on base slats 4 and 5 with the mortises 12 onbase 1. This forms a very secure means of easily assembling the dualpurpose rack and divider assembly 10 in the configuration of a rack.

In the configuration of a divider, FIG. 12, a bottom surface of the base1 is butted against the width edges of the interlocked base slat 4 andcross slats 6 or base slat 5 and cross slat 7. The wings 2 and 3 wouldextend outward from the base 1 at a right angle to form end separators16. The wings 2 and 3 being pivotally attached to the base 1 helps tohold the wings in portion. The “hinge” or other means of pivotattachment prevents the wings 2 and 3 from falling over. The entire dualpurpose rack and divider assembly 10 could be placed in a case 8 toseparate items such as wine bottle, beer cans/bottles, novelty items, orany other sort of item that needs separating for protection, shipping orfor any other reason.

A back plate 9 can also be included, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Theback plate 9 is attached to the back edges of the wings 2 and 3, baseslats 4 and 5, and/or cross slats 6 and 7 or in any combination. Theback plate 9 provides stability to the dual purpose rack and dividerassembly and also provides a location for printed mater such as adescription of items being displayed or advertisement or art work on anynature. The back plate 9 provides additional rigidity to the base slats4 and 5 and cross slats 6 and 7, and prevents bowing and/or collapse ofthe rack under heavy loads.

A back plate 9, in one embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 10. It includesslots 32 for sliding over and engaging base slats 4 and 5 and crossslats 6 and 7. In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a portionextends upwards from the dual purpose rack and divider assembly 10 toprovide an area for printed material, advertisement or art work.

An area of the back plate 9 corresponding to the various openings orcompartments could be partially removed or cut out leaving only an endportion of slots 32 to engage the base slats 4 and 5 and cross slats 6and 7. This is not illustrated because is a simple concept tounderstand. In this configuration the items being displayed could extendthrough the cut out area and the back plate 9 could be positionedanyplace between the front edges and back edges. Support would beprovided by the ends of base slat 4 and 5 and the ends of cross slats 6and 7 engaging the slots 32 on the back plate 9.

In another embodiment, not shown, is a back plate 9 simply adhered tothe rear edges of the base 1, wings 2 and 3, base slats 4 and 5, and/orcross slats 6 and 7.

Advertisements, printed materials, illustrations, art work or designs orexpressions of any kind may be included on all surfaces of the dualpurpose rack and divider assembly 10. Any such expressions may beprinted, sketched, painted, etched, inlayed, and/or adhered to the base1, wings 2 and 3, base slats 4 and 5, cross slats 6 and 7, and/or backplate 9, or in any combination thereof. It is conceivable thatindustries, such as wineries or otherwise, may want to personalize thesurfaces to promote their location, services, and/or goods.

Advertisement, printed matter, or any other expressions of an idea oritem may be included on materials such as cloth, paper, vinyl or anyother similar type of materials attached to or adhered to the surfaceson the dual purpose rack and divider assembly 10. The material attachedto the base 1 and wings 2 and 3 may also function to pivotally attachthe wings 2 and 3 to the base 1. Again this is not illustrated becauseit is easily understood.

One of the advantages of having the wings 2 and 3 pivotally attached tobase 1 is that the wings 2 and 3 can be folded downward toward thecenter of the base 1 for shipping purposes. Base slats 4 and 5 and crossslates 6 and 7 can be laid flat against the folded wings so thecomponents take up minimal space when shipped from the manufacturer.This is an important concept in that in all likelihood the dual purposerack and divider will be made in one location and assembled and used asa divider in another location and used as a rack in yet another.Shipping costs would be kept to a minimum if all the components occupy asmaller space.

Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art willappreciate that modifications may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the spirit of the inventive concept herein described.

Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limitedto the specific and preferred embodiments illustrated and described.Rather, it is intended that the scope of the invention be determined bythe appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A dual purpose rack and divider assembly comprising: a base,generally rectangular in shape having at least two mortises in a spacedparallel relationship, each mortise in the shape of a dovetail cavitycrosswise across the width of the base; at least two generallyrectangular shaped wings each having a length corresponding to the widthof the base, each having a toe projection centered along a lower lengthedge, the toe projection being a tenon with an angle matched forinsertion into the mortises for interlocking the wings onto the base andholding the wings at a fixed angle from the base; two or morerectangular base slats having the same width as the base, each of thebase slats having a cutout region corresponding to the width of thetenon on the wings, and having outer tenons or toes with a tapered edgefor insertion into and interlocking with the mortices on the base,straddling the toe of the wings, and holding the base slats at a fixedangle from the base and at a right angle or an approximate right anglefrom the wings, and each of the base slats having two or more slots in aparallel space relationship, each of the slots extending half way acrossthe base slat; two or more rectangular cross slats each having two ormore slots in a parallel space relationship, each of the slots extendinghalf way across the cross slat, the cross slats attached to the baseslats by interlocking the slots on the base slats with the slots on thecross slats forming openings or compartments; and the base beingremovable from the base slats, and a bottom surface of the base beingbutted against the width edges of the interlocked base slat and crossslats with the wings extending outward from the base at a right angle toform a divider assembly for protection and separation of items.
 2. Thedual purpose rack and divider assembly as set forth in claim 1 furthercomprising a back plate, the back plate attached to back edges of thecross slats, base slats, wings and the base, the back plate providingstability to the dual purpose rack and divider and closing the back ofthe compartments formed in the assembly.
 3. The dual purpose rack anddivider assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which the wings has outertoes and the base slats having a centered toe for insertion into andinterlocking the wings and base slats within the mortices.
 4. The dualpurpose rack and divider assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which thewings and base slats each have multiple toes for insertion into andinterlocking the wings and base slats within the mortices with the toesstraddling one another.
 5. The dual purpose rack and divider assembly asset forth in claim 1 further comprising a hinge pivotally attaching thewings to the base.
 6. The dual purpose rack and divider assembly as setforth in claim 1 further comprising advertisement printed, painted,etched, inlayed, and/or adhered to the base, wings, base slats, crossslats, and/or back plate.
 7. The dual purpose rack and divider assemblyas set forth in claim 1 in which materials such as cloth, paper, vinylor any other similar type of materials attached to or adhered to thebase and wings functions as a hinge to pivotally attach the wings to thebase.
 8. A dual purpose rack and divider assembly comprising a basehaving parallel dovetail mortices; two wings having one or more toeswith a taper for insertion into and interlocking the wings in thedovetail on the base; two or more base slats having one or more toeswith a taper for insertion into and interlocking the base slats in thedovetail in the base and the toe(s) straddling the toe(s) of the wings,and having at least two slots in a parallel spaced relationship, theslots extending half way across the base slats; and two or more crossslats having at least two slots in a parallel spaced relationship, theslots extending half way across the base slats, the cross slats joinedwith the base slats by interlocking the slots on the base slat with theslots on the cross slats to form openings or compartments.
 9. The dualpurpose rack and divider assembly as set forth in claim 8 in which theassembly is placed on rear edges of the assembly with a bottom surfaceof the base butted against ends of a base slat and a cross slat with thewings extended outward in parallel with the base slat and cross slat toform a divider with a plurality of openings or compartments forprotection and/or separation of items placed in the openings.
 10. Thedual purpose rack and divider assembly as set forth in claim 9 in whichthe assembly is placed in a case for protection and separation of items.11. A dual purpose rack and divider assembly as set forth in claim 8 inwhich a bottom surface of the base is placed downward with the wings andbase slats attached to the base by interlocking the toes in the dovetailand extending upwards each at a forty five degree angle and at rightangles to one another, with the cross slats interlocked with the baseslats to form a rack with compartments for displaying items.
 12. Thedual purpose rack and divider assembly as set forth in claim 8 furthercomprising the wings being pivotally attached to the base.